WEST HAVEN,
June 23, 2016 — The West Haven Public School District summer meal
program will provide children with free breakfast and lunch at 14
locations across the city through a continuing partnership with national
organization No Kid Hungry and statewide group End Hunger Connecticut.

The program is open to West Haven children 18 and
under every week day from July 5-August 5. Kids and teens don't need to
come every day to participate and they don't need to show ID or be
participating in a program at the site. They can simply come to the
location and eat a free meal.

Approximately 22,244 meals were served to West Haven
youngsters last summer through the initiative, according to Food
Services Director Meg Kingston. With 64 percent of West Haven students
qualifying for free or reduced meal prices in school cafeterias this
year, the summer meal program helps to meet a growing need among the
city’s children.

The meals meet federal nutrition guidelines and will
have milk, fruits, vegetables, grains and meat or another protein.
Breakfast foods this year will include muffins, cereal, bagels, fruit
and milk, while lunches will offer celery sticks, broccoli and carrots
with dip, barbeque chicken, salad, sandwiches and pizza. Full menus can
be found online here.

This year’s meal locations and times may differ
slightly from those utilized last summer, as adjustments were based on
participation.

Kingston added that food services staff will be at the locations rain or shine.

“We know there are families in town that are
struggling financially. We can ensure that students have access to a
variety of nutritious foods during school, and we feel it’s important
for that to carry over into the summer so that kids have access to
healthy meals even when classes are done,” Kingston said. “But this
isn’t just for students in need—it’s for any West Haven children. We see
kids who come most days, and we have others who come because they
happen to be playing on a playground near one of our meal sites.”